Aberdeenshire branch members again joined other trade unions and community groups including “Disabled People against the Cuts” to lobby the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) meeting at Woodhill House on 28 May.
Very few councillors came to meet the demonstrators, demanding that services to the most vulnerable in our communities are not targeted for draconian cuts. Instead, with some honourable exceptions, they scurried through internal corridors to miss those of us campaigning to save jobs and services.
They then voted through a number of cuts that will impact on both staff and the people who depend on the services. However the campaign will continue to defend jobs and services.
Branch Secretary, Inez Kirk spoke to the media warning that staff are absolutely heartbroken, angry, fed up.
“Communities are losing a valuable resource, and people are losing their jobs and careers, and seeing the work they have dedicated their lives to being undervalued.
“I know budgets are bad, but I would like people to work with the staff and find ways to go forward, save money, do things better,” she urged.
Retired member, Kate Ramsden also spoke, to urge the Scottish Government to step up to the mark and support councils to maintain care services.
“The Scottish Government has been pledging to improve care services for our most vulnerable communities through their failed National Care Service bill. But there is a huge disconnect between their lofty rhetoric and the situation on the ground where care services are on their knees.
“Our members are hugely worried about their jobs. But more than that. They are deeply worried about the people they support and how they will manage without the care they provide.”